What's going on here then? Exhaust gas in my face!

Ricardo · Post by **Ricardo** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:06 pm

Hi there all,

Looking for a bit of help. It seems I am getting exhaust gas through the air vents at the front. I could smell diesel so I thought it was the people in front until I stopped.

Just to make sure I lobbed some veg oil in and yep- chippy smell in my face too. I've checked the door seals and maifold looks ok.

I don't have an engine manual and these dark nights it's a bit hard to sort out. Where is the inlet for the blowers?

Any other ideas would be great too.

Cough cough!

Ricardo Ashford Kent

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:10 pm

hmmn, do your hear any sound? as it could be the manifold stud that sheared off causing the gasses to rise into the cab area, common problem with the bongo, especially No 1 stud

but i dont think that would cause it to come out through the vents at the front

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:18 pm

I have exactly the same problem.When I took the bongo in for the MOT in December I asked the garage if they would check for any exhaust leaks.They couldn't find anything wrong.

I find it is mainly in traffic so what I do is move the heater controls to re-circulate and that cures it (albeit temporary).

Just glad I use veg oil as the smell is quite nice - have put on half stone though

Cheers Darren

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:09 pm

It's not the smell you need to worry about; it's the Carbon Monoxide...

Wikipedia wrote:Carbon monoxide is a significantly toxic gas and has no odor or color. It is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries.[18] Exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart. Following poisoning, long-term sequelae often occur. Carbon monoxide can also have severe effects on the fetus of a pregnant woman. Symptoms of mild poisoning include headaches and dizziness at concentrations less than 100 ppm. Concentrations as low as 667 ppm can cause up to 50% of the body's hemoglobin to be converted to carboxy-hemoglobin (HbCO). Carboxy-hemoglobin is quite stable but this change is reversible. Carboxy-hemoglobin is ineffective for delivering oxygen, resulting in some body parts not receiving oxygen needed. As a result, exposures of this level can be life-threatening. In the United States, OSHA limits long-term workplace exposure levels to 50 ppm.

The mechanisms by which carbon monoxide produces toxic effects are not yet fully understood, but hemoglobin, myoglobin, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase are thought to be compromised. Treatment largely consists of administering 100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy, although the optimum treatment remains controversial.[19] Domestic carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by the use of household carbon monoxide detectors.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:22 pm

Gillybump - was it you we had a debate with because their was a hole in the floor for the gas bottle and there was a suspicion fumes were coming in through there?

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:31 pm

Hi Mike it wasn,t me as our bongo is unconverted.

I just thought it was ours that smelt but if somebody elses does then there must be something in common.

The garage that checked mine deal in imports so know their way around a bongo and they couldn't find anything.

On re-circulate you don't get any smell so it is obviously coming thru the heating vents.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:32 pm

Could it be the battery overheating and discharging fumes - if it is then the alternator is overcharging

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:40 pm

it is definitely a chip fat smell.

Where does the heater take the air from?

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:58 pm

From the scoop under the bonnet.... I dont understand how it's making its way into the heater vents....

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:03 pm

It is only when you are stationary.When you are moving it doesn't happen.

I just resigned myself to the fact that every Bongo must do it but obviously not.

I will investigate further when the weather gets a bit better

Cheers
Darren

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:06 pm

Unless... there is a leak in the exhaust, and when there is a draught from behind, the fumes then travel to the front of the bongo,then rise up into the front (under the bonnet) then is pulled in via the front scoop, (the heater fan sucks air into the front scoop) Which then is circulated around the system.

Do you have a twin battery set -up? (not a leisure battery) A switch next to the rear fan,with a picture of an engine on it?

I.m wondering if the valve in the exhaust cut -off may be partially blocked,causing a build up of exhaust fumes? (only applicable with a twin battery set-up)

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:09 pm

Gillybump wrote:It is only when you are stationary.When you are moving it doesn't happen.

I just resigned myself to the fact that every Bongo must do it but obviously not.

I will investigate further when the weather gets a bit better

Cheers
Darren

That suggests to me that the exhaust is indeed leaking,and the fumes are making there way under the bonnet...If you were moving,the airflow under the bongo would clear the fumes as you travel... Meaning you would get no fumes on the move...

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:10 pm

I don't have the switch.The garage said that they checked for leaks and couldn't find anything but you never know.

I presume the best way to check for leaks is to momentarily block the tail pipe and see if anything comes out anywhere else ?

Gillybump · Post by **Gillybump** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:11 pm

Plus the bongo has just passed an MOT on the 21st Dec.Would they not have found it?

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:23 pm

They certainly should have! You'd be able to hear a leak in the exhaust whilst its up on the ramp having the mot done.

Has the smell of exhaust fumes always been there? Or just since the m.o.t?